We all know that gastric acid can be a serious problem, which is the main reason why doctors usually prescribe medicines and one of the most commonly prescribed is Omeprazole. While the prescription antacid drug Omeprazole is considered safe and effective, the Omeprazole side effects might just surprise you. Omeprazole is in the class of drugs commonly known as prescription antacids, but technically it’s known by the name ‘Proton Pump Inhibitors’ or PPI’s, for its effects on the acid generating ‘proton pumps’ of the stomach.

YES, and I really think that you’ll be shocked when we tell you that Omeprazole actually limits our body’s ability to absorb vitamin B12 when you consume it for a long period of time. And, the Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to:

Depletion in your red blood cell count

Anemia

Depression

Anxiety

Neurological damage leading to degenerative ailments like dementia

It can cause damage to our central nervous system

It causes rapid loss of calcium in our bodies which causes a condition known as osteoporosis or brittle bone syndrome, where a person is prone to broken bones or fractures easily

A calcium shortage can cause muscle issues

Increased risk of respiratory problems, such as shortness of breath, wheezing, difficulty breathing, hyperventilation, and congestion

A recent study, conducted by group of experts at the Kaiser Permanente Institute, researched the health dangers of omeprazole. The researchers monitored more than 26,000 test subjects every day and the subjects took different amounts of omeprazole within a period of two years. The test subjects who took omeprazole were experiencing vitamin B12 deficiency (by 65% higher), compared to individuals that didn’t used this medication. This means that this medication can be very bad for you and you should definitely avoid it.